Updated May 2026
What Is Bodily Injury Liability Insurance?
Bodily injury liability pays medical expenses, lost wages, and legal defense when you cause an accident that injures another driver, passenger, or pedestrian. It covers treatment costs, rehabilitation, funeral expenses if the injury is fatal, and pain-and-suffering damages awarded in court. Every state except New Hampshire and Virginia requires you to carry it, and most set a per-person and per-accident limit—expressed as 25/50 or 50/100 in thousands of dollars.
- You rear-end a stopped car at a red light. The other driver sustains a concussion and herniated disc requiring surgery. Medical bills total $42,000, and the driver misses six weeks of work, losing $8,000 in wages. If you carry 50/100 bodily injury limits, your policy pays the full $50,000 claim. If you carry 25/50, your insurer pays $25,000 and you are personally liable for the remaining $25,000.
- You run a stop sign and cause a three-car pileup. Four people across two vehicles sustain injuries totaling $110,000 in medical bills and lost income. If you carry 50/100 limits, your insurer pays up to $50,000 per person but caps total payout at $100,000 per accident. You are personally liable for the remaining $10,000, and the injured parties can sue you for the difference.
- You back out of a parking space and strike a pedestrian, fracturing their leg. The pedestrian requires surgery, physical therapy, and misses three months of work. Total claim: $38,000. If you carry 25/50 limits, your insurer pays $25,000 and you owe $13,000 out of pocket unless you negotiate a settlement.
How Much Does Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Cost?
Increasing bodily injury limits from state minimum (often 25/50) to 100/300 adds approximately $15 to $40 per month, or $180 to $480 annually.
- Coverage limit selected—higher per-person and per-accident limits increase premium proportionally.
- Your at-fault accident history—one prior bodily injury claim can raise premiums 20 to 40 percent.
- State minimum requirements—states with higher mandated minimums charge higher base rates.
- Urban versus rural location—metro areas with higher medical costs and lawsuit frequency cost more.
- Your liability risk profile—drivers with prior tickets, lapses, or suspensions pay elevated rates.
See How Much You Could Save
Get personalized bodily injury liability insurance quotes in minutes.
Who Needs Bodily Injury Liability Insurance?
Drivers reinstating after a fines-suspension who need the cheapest compliant coverage should carry at least their state's minimum bodily injury limits to avoid compounding penalties. If you have any assets—savings, a home, wages subject to garnishment—consider 100/300 limits because one serious accident can trigger a lawsuit that exceeds state minimums.
Carry bodily injury limits at least equal to your net worth. If you have $50,000 in savings or equity, carry 100/300 limits. If you're judgment-proof with no assets and only need to satisfy reinstatement requirements, your state minimum suffices, but one accident can trigger wage garnishment in most states.